Mumbai, July 21: In the vibrant world of Bollywood, where dance is the heartbeat of cinema, one name that revolutionized choreography and gave it a soul was Saroj Khan. While her legacy as an iconic choreographer remains unmatched, her personal life journey is a tale of struggle, resilience, and transformation—including her emotional conversion to Islam.

🌟 Born in Struggle, Raised in Adversity

Saroj Khan was born after her family had migrated to India following the partition, leaving behind their roots in Pakistan. Though she didn’t witness the migration firsthand, the aftereffects were deeply etched into her childhood. In a candid interview with the BBC, she recalled the poverty her family faced.

“My mother would place empty pots on the stove and pretend to cook, just so we would fall asleep thinking food was on the way,” Saroj said with a nostalgic smile.

Growing up in hardship, young Saroj discovered an unusual fascination—expressing emotions through her face and body. This worried her parents, especially her mother, who once took her to a doctor fearing something was wrong. But the doctor saw something different.

“There’s nothing wrong with her,” the doctor said. “She wants to dance—let her dance.”

That visit changed Saroj’s destiny.

🎬 From Child Artist to Background Dancer

With no choice but to earn a living, Saroj began working at a young age to support her family. She initially aspired to be a child artist but soon entered the world of background dancing. Her first film was the Madhubala-starrer Howrah Bridge, where she danced to the famous song Aaiye Meherbaan sung by Asha Bhosale.

❤️ A Complicated Love and Marriage

Saroj’s life took another unexpected turn when she met Sohanlal, a prominent choreographer who was 30 years older, already married, and had four children. At the time, Saroj was just 13 years old. Despite the odds, the two entered into a relationship. She gave birth to her first son at 14, and later had a daughter—who tragically died at just eight months old.

Saroj revealed that her daughter’s death became a turning point in her life, planting the seeds of spiritual change. Although Sohanlal never married her legally, their separation became inevitable over time.

🕌 Embracing Islam: A Personal Choice

In a separate interview with Doordarshan, Saroj opened up about her conversion.

“I was born Hindu. My full name was Saroj Kishan Chand Sadhu Singh Nagpal. We were Sindhi Punjabi,” she said. “I fell in love with my husband and chose to convert. I wasn’t pressured—I did it out of love for Islam.”

She went on to describe a powerful dream that reinforced her decision.

“After losing my daughter, she would come in my dreams. She would call me from inside a mosque. That’s when I knew I had to go,” Saroj shared emotionally.

She eventually visited a mosque herself and converted to Islam by her own will.

💫 Legacy Beyond Religion

While her personal life was filled with struggles and complex decisions, Saroj Khan’s professional legacy remains one of greatest transformation in Indian cinema. From training legendary actresses like Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi to choreographing over 2,000 songs, she changed the language of dance in Bollywood forever.

Her story is not just about success, but about faith, survival, and finding identity through art and belief.

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Disclaimer: This article aims to present the life story of Saroj Khan as shared in public interviews. Readers are advised to consider her statements in the context of her personal experiences and cultural background.